What is the purpose of administering penicillin in cases of rheumatic fever?

What is the purpose of administering penicillin in cases of rheumatic fever?

• A. To prevent cardiomyopathy
• B. To kill the microorganism and cure the disease
• C. To prevent reinfection and recurrence of fever
• D. To reduce inflammation

Answer: (C)

The administration of penicillin in cases of rheumatic fever primarily aims to prevent reinfection and recurrence of fever. Rheumatic fever is a post-infectious complication that can arise following an infection with Group A Streptococcus. Although penicillin is effective in treating the original streptococcal throat infection, its role in rheumatic fever is more about providing prophylactic coverage. Regular penicillin treatment helps to minimize the risk of another streptococcal infection, which could trigger another episode of rheumatic fever. By preventing reinfection, penicillin plays a crucial role in protecting the heart and preventing long-term complications associated with rheumatic fever, such as rheumatic heart disease. This is essential because recurrent infections can lead to additional inflammatory attacks on the heart, which are detrimental to a patient's health. Other options, while related to different aspects of treating or managing conditions, do not accurately describe the specific role of penicillin in the context of rheumatic fever. For example, while reducing inflammation is an important component of managing rheumatic fever, the use of penicillin itself does not directly reduce inflammation; that is typically addressed with anti-inflammatory medications.

The administration of penicillin in cases of rheumatic fever primarily aims to prevent reinfection and recurrence of fever. Rheumatic fever is a post-infectious complication that can arise following an infection with Group A Streptococcus. Although penicillin is effective in treating the original streptococcal throat infection, its role in rheumatic fever is more about providing prophylactic coverage. Regular penicillin treatment helps to minimize the risk of another streptococcal infection, which could trigger another episode of rheumatic fever.

By preventing reinfection, penicillin plays a crucial role in protecting the heart and preventing long-term complications associated with rheumatic fever, such as rheumatic heart disease. This is essential because recurrent infections can lead to additional inflammatory attacks on the heart, which are detrimental to a patient's health.

Other options, while related to different aspects of treating or managing conditions, do not accurately describe the specific role of penicillin in the context of rheumatic fever. For example, while reducing inflammation is an important component of managing rheumatic fever, the use of penicillin itself does not directly reduce inflammation; that is typically addressed with anti-inflammatory medications.